July 28, 2011

So bought this pattern back in the spring and decided to whip one up yesterday. It's called the Tag Along Tote It was pretty easy... I was a bit confused by the zipper insertion but once I did it and JUST TRUSTED the directions it came out pretty good. (I probably should have changed my serger thread) I can see a few changes I'll make for the next go around. I'd like it to be a tad bigger, just an inch or 2. I have some left over Michael Miller fabric I may use. It's a great little tote for when you are out and about and don't want to lug around a large purse!

I've been doing more sewing than knitting lately...the heat just makes me want to stay in my cool sewing room and stitch...Abby is tired of the heat..This is how she feels about it! Yuck! I want to lay out in the yard!

July 13, 2011

While I've still been knitting away ( do have 2 finished sweaters that need buttons and photographing), when it's too hot to knit outside I often venture up to my sewing room studio...I showed you all that fabric I bought I figure I'd better get to some of it!!

Last week I made up 2 "muslin's" of 2 patterns I wanted to try out. For those who might not know a muslin it a test run of your pattern on cheaper fabric (Often muslin cause you can get it super cheap-but not a good choice if you are testing out at knit!)...I had bought both of these thinking eh if they don't turn out no biggie...I'll send them on to Goodwill or something....but low and behold they are both winners! (I may even venture into writing a review of them for pattern review)

I made view B. While this was supposed to be a "muslin"(poly/rayon knit 60% off at JoAnn's) I liked it so much I wore it to a friends wedding last weekend and got a ton of compliments on it! Don't mind the silly picture..DH is not the best photographer. Great dress for an outdoor summer wedding! I have plans for another out of a tropical blue/white print as well. Very fast and easy (only 4 pieces! and a little elastic). I"m contemplating making the shorter version of this as well.

The 2nd pattern was McCall's 6308. A cute little crossover front dress. I made view A I'm always looking for summery cross over dresses that don't reveal "too much" and this one fits the bill. It was supposed to have some elastic in the waist..I left if out...don't really see a need for it! It is also from JoAnn's 50% off sale. It's a cotton knit. It's actually kind of a heavy fabric...but I still like the outcome, a lot! I had a bit of an issue with the facing around the neckline actually in the back at the V ...may tinker around with just folding down sewing that for my 2nd go at the pattern. Why yes I plan on making this at least twice more...another short version in this fabulous bright yellow Michael Miller print that I cut out tonight

(I'd of started sewing it-but I don't have the right color thread!) I am elminating a bit of the "gather" around the waist..there really was quite a lot, originally I was only going to do it on the back, but decided to do the front and back. I hope it works out..if not I have enough that I can cut out another piece for the front if I have to! I also have fabric for a maxi version in very summery shaded of teal/white/and blue. (it will match perfectly with the shawl I'm currently knitting!)

"Sew" there you have it....let me tell you if you have a fear of sewing with knit fabric and want to give knit garmets a go...I'd highly reccomend either of these patterns!

July 08, 2011

OOPs I accidently deleted my post with my cute little wedge bag...How'd I do that...I was trying to delete a draft of another post then I guess I clicked the wrong think...darn darn darn..

So here's a quick not nearly as clever little post

I decided I wanted a cute wedge bag like I've seen the Knit Girllls using...I know I could buy one but I wanted to make up my own with my own fabric choices, so I Googled around a bit and found this tutorial for a bag that would fit the bill....Then I adjusted the size to be what I wanted did a bit of sewing and come up with this (In my opinion) darling bag!

It measures about 14" long by 7" high with a base about 3" wide. I've already bought supplies to make another....

Then I also made some cute stitch markers...To go with my latest kniting project, Goodale and my amazing new Signature Needles

﻿

Not nearly as clever as my first post...but I hope you enjoy the pictures none the less....

I get that question all the time...and I hate to answer non-crafty people, because the just don't get it. When I tell them I'm going to knit and sew. They think I should be teaching summer school or writing curriculum...no thanks! Not that I don't go to the occasional professional development class or take college classes to renew my teaching license, but my focus is on my crafty endeavors that I don't have as much time to focus on as I'd like during the year.

So what exactly am I going to be up to you may ask, well here's a pile of near done WIPs:

Lets see there's sweaters Pole, Pasha, Castle, Sedona, Seneca, Mothy and Greenfield all close to being done. (if you want more details come see me on Ravelry) There are a few others that are further from being done, plus some springy/summery type things I want to do!

Also there's sewing! I've decided that I need to get some more skills on sewing with knits! So here's my giant pile of new (mostly knit) fabrics.

May 14, 2011

As you can tell from the title I've been a bit obsessed with sewing lately!

I finally put my old sewing machine and serger up on e-bay, sold them and replaced my 10 year old serger with a new one. Nothing fancy but it does what I need it to to do. I'd already replaced my sewing machine last year with a Brother Inovis QC1000 which I love. I'd dumped the embroidery because well I didn't use it much anymore, my computer crashed that had my designs and to upgrade the computer meant upgrading the embroidery software-which is ridiculously expensive....

All of this has renewed my sewing mojo and I've made like 5 skirts. They are all the same pattern New Look 6470.

and have plans for a few more plus some summer dresses. I really want to make myself a maxi dress with straps wide enough to cover my bra straps!

And I'm on a bag kick!! I've so far made 2 of the Mini Bow Tucks pattern. I adore this pattern! It is SO well written and easy to follow. If you've been thinking about trying a purse pattern-this would be the one!

With at least 3-4 more in the works.

Then I made up 2 of these cute little RunAround Bags. They're great for travel. I plan to make a few more of these as well.

Lets not forget my stint with the Grids and Grommets bags...I've made 4 (the first is unfinished because I can't get the grommets in) a big , small , and a medium one. It's a cute pattern but don't feel it's the best written. It can be a bit confusing...I found some tips somewhere on sewing it and they helped alot with my 2nd-4th bags!

December 23, 2010

So again sorry for my lack of posting..much Christmas crafting has been going on...I've made cowls, flamingos, and many santa hat ornaments...as well as baking....

Now as I was reading blogs I came across 2 adorable projects on Yarn Pirate's website and knew I had to make these for my niece. What fun little projects!

First up are some delicious felt chocolate chip cookies! And then we have the yummy sugar cookies, with lovely sprinkles! Of course you need a cookie sheet that will fit into one small play oven. When you are doing all this baking you need to wear an apron as not to get your clothes dirty! Actually the apron is for actual baking wear because my SIL and niece bake often, and well I thought she's need a cute little person sized apron for just such occasions!!! I do hope they are well recieved! (I even bought some matching fabric to make another apron for my SIL though it will not be done for Christmas gift giving I don't think!)

I just want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May 31, 2010

Today for your viewing pleasure..I have a couple of knitting & macro pictures!

Here's a sun shine shot:

And so since I'm showing picts of my sweater close up I ought to show you some of the finished Liesl...I love this sweater. It's my 2nd version of this sweater...I knit this one pretty much the same as the the other..but made it a bit longer in the body, and shorter sleeves. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca cotton it's so soft and squishy...I think that this will be awesome for summer to wear over tanks or sun dresses. And yes I did sew the skirt..

May 02, 2010

Sooooo...I'm trying to not buy fabric till the Wooster Fiber Festival at the end of the month (I cannot believe that it is May already!) so instead I'm buying fabric..so now what to do with said fabric? Well I'd better get my butt in gear and start sewing some of it up. I've been inspired by some of the other knitting blogs out there with several of them showing off their lovely sewn clothing..(mind you back 20 years ago-when I was still in college I did sew quite a bit of clothing)

So last week I started theJuliet top from Serendipity Studios. I bought it on a whim, cause I thought it was cute when I was ordering the Emaline Skirt. I cut the pattern out and then walked away from it, then started sewing as I had a few minutes here and there..and today I finished it up. I think it came out really cute. Cuter than I was expecting actually. (Good thing I have fabric for another top and a dress) Please excuse the lovely mirror photos...hubby was off doing something Else and Pam wasn't here to be my photographer either...It was an easy pattern to follow..the only think that tripped me up was putting in the invisible zipper, I don't have the foot for it...and don't think it'd go on my machine anyway...so I fudged it and it worked out, not perfect, but good enough. The only thing I'll change on the next top is to get a shorter zipper...It called for a 22" which would be fine for the dress..but it's a bit much for the top. I think a 12-14" would be sufficient.

Today instead of doggie photo's I leave you with an adorable alpaca photo from anotherCKW member's farm..

December 31, 2009

With everyone posting their recap of 2009 I thought hmm I should do one. Then I though nah...

So here's what I've been up to...

My sewing/crafting room looked like this:

Disaster Central. It was getting worse and worse. (This is all the junk that was in the dresser) Finally I couldn't take it anymore! I set aside time from vacation to revamp and reorganize the space! I finally got rid of the old (like I got it from a friend who was throwing it out-it was in her POTTING shed! my first year teaching-16 years ago) dresser.

We had a cube book case in our basement we weren't using anymore and bought some bins for that to replace my drawers.

Then I bought 3 bookcases to replace my mismatched cheapo ones, hey they were on sale at Target. And more fabric bins for those. It looks so much better and streamlined...though my hubby laughs and says you have to much crap in here! (I haven't even yet ventured into the bedroom where most of the yarn is!)

It's almost done.A few projects to finish up and put away yet. I need a couple more bins, and I want to get some binder clips and cards to label the bins on the outside so I don't have to dig every time I'm looking for something. I'm so much happier with the space! AHH doesn't that make you feel better? I know I do..I was ispired to make yet another box bag!

August 16, 2009

So summer has arrived here in Ohio! It is finally into the upper 80s to near 90! so now the AC is on and I can't knit outside. This afternoon I was bored and I'm still waiting on a box bag I ordered forever ago (it has supposedly been shipped)to arrive and wanted one..so I perused the internet and found this fabulous & easy tutorial at Drago(Knit)fly for making a box bag..and I had all the supplies so off I went to make one! It took me less than an hour to whip it up. It was really easy and fun and it's super cute. I wasn't real careful with my sewing and it came out really nice. Perfect size for a pair of socks I'd say. So I had to run to JoAnn's right then and there and get more fabric, zippers, interfacing.. and well now I have enough stuff to make at least 5 more! Hmm obsess much? I looked around a bit more and found this site with some clarificationon how to make the bag. I think I'll pull my serger out for the next batch! So I'll follow that when I make some more tonight or tomorrow! I may play with the size a bit too. Then I went from there to the llink for this cute little pencil bag. Might have to make some of those too! They'd be great for notions!